Critics accused the group of disrespecting popular female singer HANRORO over a lyric referencing her song “0+0.”
The Lyric That Sparked the Backlash
Performed live in Seoul during the weekend, CORTIS’s new track includes the line: “I want to be someone who makes money while having fun, Pororo / Adding 0 after 0 in my bank account, HANRORO.” According to reports from Koreaboo, online users quickly connected the mention of zeros to HANRORO’s track “0+0.”
The title “0+0” is often interpreted as representing feelings of having little to offer, while the song carries a message of hope. HANRORO previously explained in an interview that the track expresses a mutual reassurance of staying together. Netizens argued that dropping her name into a rhyme about bank accounts trivializes the emotional core of her music.
One X user, @rknnnnioo, wrote in a translated post: “A shout-out is usually something you do to show respect, but isn’t it true that slapping someone’s name into a rhyme that isn’t even funny and just sticking random words onto it is disrespectful?” Another user, @bmtxb, expressed shock over how the song’s meaning was handled, asking whether the group understood what “0+0” was meant to convey.
Accusations of Misogyny and Cultural Divide
Beyond complaints about artistic courtesy, the controversy quickly escalated into a broader debate about gender dynamics. Several social media users accused CORTIS of misogyny, linking the lyric choice to behavior typical of young male demographics in South Korea.
“Just like a typical ‘hannam,’ the easy target is a female singer,” posted X user @djdjbumpthis. Another user, @ddongnyamkoong, added: “It feels like deep down they’re the kind of ‘hannams’ who sit around writing lyrics like this and giggling among themselves, and it makes me feel like shit.”
However, international fans strongly pushed back against the allegations of malice or disrespect. Supporters argued that the lyrics were merely a playful flex about wealth accumulation using wordplay on zeros, rather than a targeted diss track.
X user @KkmMkkm66933 defended the group, stating: “I’m absolutely sure that Cortis and HANRORO don’t feel any hatred toward each other, and Cortis definitely didn’t make a diss track about her.” Another user, @thatsofye, noted: “in cortis original lyrics they were just flexing about how much money (zeros) they have in their bank account. i see no harm at all.”
The Current Status of the Track
As discussions continue across various platforms, CORTIS has faced sharp criticism from domestic commentators questioning the appropriateness of the reference, while global supporters maintain that the backlash blows a standard rap flex completely out of proportion.
